Hikers Hockey Club, one of the leading clubs in the country held their first meeting of the year on Thursday night, where they unfolded their plans to have the club remain in the top bracket of the sport as well as to further develop their players.
Hikers Ladies will seek titles that evaded them previously
Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Captain of the male senior team, Robert France indicated that based on the discussions in the meeting the club is currently entering a recruitment phase.
France explained that the club will be continuing their normal training sessions with their juniors from 09:00h- 11:00h on Saturdays at the St. Stanislaus College, Brickdam as they look to enhance their base of players in the Under-16 and Under-18 divisions.
Additionally, the club will be looking to recruit players from the various schools in Georgetown having already gone to North Georgetown Secondary, Tutorial Secondary, Marian Academy and Old Fort Hockey Club targeting St. Joseph’s High School.
Since the club already have a female member who currently attends St. Johns College, it will be one of the schools targeted to recruit players for the junior pool.
Meanwhile, the senior division has already begun training as they prepare to take part in two senior tournaments overseas.
As part of the club’s fundraising projects, they are committed to continue with their traditional seven-a-side tournament in March/ April but are uncertain about their popular ‘Into the Night’ event.
However, as it relates to the male arm of the club, the team is severely short on players with only eight players available and according France, the team will also be looking to the second division to see the prospects of drafting some over to the senior team. While he has not done so yet, he is expected to have those in charge do so as soon as possible.
In addition, France also noted that the return of Shane Samuels from England is also a bonus for the club as he is an experienced campaigner.
Nevertheless, the club is working hard to remain on top of their game and with their successful run in 2016, which saw the males winning every major local indoor tournament and the females fighting valiantly; the prospects of 2017 for the club will be up for discussion amongst the other teams.
The club has indicated that those who are willing to come and join the club can do so on Saturday and Tuesday at the St. Stanislaus school where the club hosts their practice sessions and are currently training for the upcoming Guyana Hockey Board’s Annual Bounty Supermarkets one day outdoor tournament at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
